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The high school boys lacrosse season is just around the corner. Here are previews of teams in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.
Batavia
Coach: Connor LeGorretta
Last season: 9-7 (3-2 DuKane Conference)
Top returning players: Aidan Tutt, sr., captain, midfield/attack; Jack David, sr., captain, defense; Griffin Robertson, sr., captain, attack; Ben Hampson, sr., midfield; Ben Costello, jr., attack
Top new players: Reynolds Devaney, sr., midfield; Ben Manikas, fr.
Worth noting: Batavia had 14 players graduate from the team that lost to Hinsdale Central by one goal in last season’s sectional quarterfinals. The Bulldogs will rely on the leadership of Tutt, David and Robertson to push for a DuKane Conference title. This is LeGorretta’s first season coaching the team.
Coach: Steven Korus
Last season: JV team
Top returning players: Aidan Nuno, so., defense; Logan Nuzzo, so., attack/midfield
Top new player: Parker Auxier, fr., attack/midfield
Worth noting: The Rockets are entering their first season with a varsity team. Korus said he is excited to compete in the Fox Valley Conference.
Geneva
Coach: Drew Schout
Last season: 3-11 (1-4 DuKane Conference)
Top returning players: Cam Sexton, sr., attack; Will Diamond, sr., midfield; Peyton Marzen, sr., midfield; Ryan Fontana, so., goalkeeper; Luke Costello, so., defense
Worth noting: The IHSA sanctioned boys lacrosse as a sport in the 2017-18 school year and the Vikings are the only program in the area to make it to a sectional finals match. They accomplished that feat in 2021. This season, Geneva will be led by first-year coach Schout, who was the junior varsity coach last season. He hopes the senior class will lead the Vikings to grow as a team.
“Our motto this offseason and coming into the year has been about family and putting in 100% effort to make sure you can support your brother lining up next to you,” Schout said. “Everyone on our team this year has bought in and we have become a close group heading into the season.”
Kaneland
Coach: Andre Carriere
Last season: 1-11
Top returning players: Brandon Parrilli, sr., midfield; Garret Wills, jr., attack; Vincent Kris, jr., defense; Easton Carriere, jr., defense; Grady Marler, jr., attack; Adam Leach, sr., attack
Top new player: Jack Frien, fr., midfield
Worth noting: The Knights are looking to turn their fortunes around this season. Carriere said his players are motivated and confident and he hopes for at least a .500 record along with the team’s first win in the playoffs since 2021.
Marmion
Coach: Jon Reid
Last season: 9-6
Top returning players: Brendan Thomas, sr., defense; Declan Anderson, sr., defense; Anthony Massoth, jr., attack
Top new player: Evan Johnson, fr., defense
Worth noting: The Cadets come into Reid’s first season at the helm with 24 players returning from last season. Thomas was an All-State faceoff specialist last season. Anderson was all-conference as a D-pole. Massoth returns after leading the team in goals last season. Marmion is looking to win its first playoff game in school history.
St. Charles East
Coach: Mike Black
Last season: 8-9, 2-3 DuKane Conference
Top returning players: Landon Miller, sr., defense; Ryan Robak, sr., midfield; Ryan Wilko, jr., attack; Chase Isacson, so., attack
Top new players: Dallas Herman, jr., defense; Blake Skifstad, jr. midfield
Worth noting: Black said the team has been rebuilding since the 2021 season and the leadership of its upperclassmen will be key to its success on both offense and defense.
St. Charles North
Coach: Brandon Jenkins
Last season: 8-8
Top returning players: Aidan McClure, so., defense; Dan Connolly, sr., midfield; Joe Vavra, sr., midfield/defense
Worth noting: The North Stars retained many key players from last season, including McClure, Connolly and Vavra as captains. Connolly is making the switch to midfield after playing on the back lines in his first three seasons. Jenkins said he’s hoping to build on the returning talent to bring the North Stars’ game to the next level.